Taliban Say They Will Not Permit Afghan Territory To Be Used Against Russia And Central Asian Countries

Image: Twitter

Republic World: Afghanistan Territory Will Not Be Used Against Russia, Central Asian Countries: Taliban  

A delegation from Russia has received assurance from a senior Taliban official that the movement will not let Afghanistan territory to be used against Moscow. 

A member of the delegation from the Russian Foundation for Islamic Culture, Sciences and Education who visited Afghanistan on Sunday told Sputnik that a senior Taliban official had provided assurances that the Taliban movement will prevent Afghan territory from being utilised against Russia. 

This affirmation was conveyed to Moscow by the delegation by Magomedbashir Albogachiev who was part of the delegation that reportedly met with officials from the Taliban government in Kabul.  

Read more ....  

Update: Taliban: Territory Will Not Be Used Against Russia, Central Asia (Sputnik)  

WNU Editor: I always take what the Taliban say with a grain of salt. But this announcement came out of the blue, and I wonder if there is a side deal in the works between Moscow and Kabul on how they can help each other as global tensions continue to rise.

Afghan Taliban Signs Deal For Russian Oil, Gas And Wheat

Taliban fighters (C) stand guard along a road near the Russian embassy after a suicide attack in Kabul, on 5 September 2022 (AFP)  

Reuters: EXCLUSIVE Afghan Taliban sign deal for Russian oil products, gas and wheat 

KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban have signed a provisional deal with Russia to supply gasoline, diesel, gas and wheat to Afghanistan, Acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi told Reuters. 

Azizi said his ministry was working to diversify its trading partners and that Russia had offered the Taliban administration a discount to average global commodity prices. 

The move, the first known major international economic deal struck by the Taliban since they returned to power more than a year ago, could help to ease the Islamist movement's isolation that has effectively cut it off from the global banking system.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is not a business deal. This is Russian aid to prop up the Taliban. 

Afghan Taliban Signs Deal For Russian Oil, Gas And Wheat  

Islamic Emirate Signs Deal for Russian Oil, Gas and Wheat -- TOLO News  

Taliban Sign Deal With Russia to Buy Cheap Oil, Gas and Wheat -- Bloomberg  

The Taliban strike a deal with Russia for supplies of key commodities including oil and wheat -- Market Insider  

Taliban signs ‘preliminary’ deal with Russia for oil, gas, wheat -- Al Jazeera  

Afghanistan's Taliban sign import agreement with Russia: Report -- Middle East Eye

Russian President Putin Says US Afghan Campaign Was 'A Less-Than-Zero Result'

Russia Ends The Evacuation Of Its Citizens And The Citizens Of Other Former Soviet Republics From Afghanistan

 

RT: WATCH Russian military planes evacuate hundreds from Afghanistan 

 Russia's Defense Ministry has launched its operation to evacuate over 500 people from Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover. 

Footage shows dozens of men, women and children disembarking from planes at safe destinations. 

The Russian Defense Ministry's military transport Il-76 planes arrived at the Kabul airport on Wednesday to take citizens of Russia and other former Soviet republics home.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia flies nationals out of Afghanistan on Putin’s orders (Inquirer)  

Update #2: All defense ministry planes return to Russia after evacuating people from Afghanistan (TASS) 

WNU Editor: Staff at the Russian embassy in Kabul are remaining at their posts.  

Update #3: A wise decision .... Vladimir Putin Rejects Military Mission into Afghanistan: ‘We Learned Our Lesson’ (Breitbart)

Russia Adopting A Wait And See Approach To Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule

 

RT: Russia won’t deploy troops to Afghanistan, instead focusing on making ‘peaceful’ contact with Taliban, top Moscow officials reveal  

Russia has said it has no intention of deploying troops to Afghanistan or stepping up its military presence in the region in response to the Taliban’s takeover of the country, instead focusing on opening up diplomatic channels. 

The deputy head of the country’s Foreign Ministry, Alexander Pankin, told journalists on Thursday that Moscow is not considering stepping up troop deployments through its military deals with neighboring nations. Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan, is a member of the Russian-backed Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which binds former Soviet Republics to defend each other.  

Read more .... 

More News On Russia And Afghanistan  

Russia ready to provide planes to evacuate Afghans to any country — Foreign Ministry -- TASS  

Russia Ready to Help Evacuate Afghans Fleeing Taliban – FM -- Moscow Times  

Russia wants inclusive government before recognizing Taliban -- Reuters  

Lavrov Says Counterproductive to Impose Any Form of Governance on Afghanistan -- Sputnik

Russia Hails 'Positive Signal' From Taliban -- AFP  

Russia says Taliban does not pose threat to Central Asia - TASS -- Reuters  

With Afghan Collapse, Moscow Takes Charge in Central Asia -- New York Times  

Russia Gloats That its Government Lasted Longer in Afghanistan Than U.S. 'Regime' -- Newsweek  

Russia Is Putting the Lives of Its Diplomats in the Taliban’s Hands -- Daily Beast  

Outreach to the Taliban pays dividends to Putin -- Analysis by Nathan Hodge, CNN  

Russia May Be Gloating But It Faces Major Problems In Afghanistan -- RFE

Today’s Russian Papers On Events In Afghanistan

Today’s Russian papers on events in Afghanistan: “a devastating fiasco”, “a monumental political humiliation for the West & Joe Biden.” One paper asks: “Will [Russia] have to send troops into Afghanistan?” #ReadingRussia @BBCNews @BBCWorld https://t.co/jfGRLx8Uyd #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/8iKxQHNy9z

— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) August 17, 2021

WNU Editor: The above is a must watch video on how concerned russian media is with the Afghan disaster, and how this may spread jihadist uprisings in central Asia. My friends in China are telling me that China's state media is voicing the same concerns, while voicing hope that Afghanistan and China can develop economic projects together.

Is Moscow Watching The Fall Of Kabul With Satisfaction?

 

Mark Galeotti, Moscow Times: Moscow Watches Kabul’s Fall With Some Satisfaction, Much Concern 

The Kremlin will wait now to see whether the Taliban will fare any better than any of the other powers who have thought they could reshape the country. 

A month ago — and, as we have seen, a month is a whole cycle between triumphalism and despair — I wrote that Moscow was viewing events in Afghanistan with a ‘mix of satisfaction, exasperation and trepidation.’ The sudden collapse of the Kabul regime has heightened all three emotions. 

 It is not that it is at all unhappy with the sight of the self-described ‘indispensable nation,’ ‘the last superpower’ and, as the Russians see it, the would-be global hegemon reduced to ignominious flight, helicopters lifting diplomats to Kabul airport in an inevitable echo of the fall of Saigon. 

For some, it was simply a geopolitical debacle. The government newspaper Rossiiskaya gazeta framed it as ‘a shameful result for the American ideologues of the fight against terrorism and nation-building.’  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The people I know in Russia are deeply troubled what they are seeing in Afghanistan right now, and they have no love for the Taliban. The also know too well that with the Taliban in control of Afghanistan, it will become a magnet for jihadists worldwide, and a breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalists throughout central Asia.

China And Russia Prepare To Accept Taliban Rule Of Afghanistan

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, political chief of Afghanistan's Taliban, in Tianjin, China July 28, 2021 

 

Daily Mail: China and Russia prepare to accept Taliban rule of Afghanistan: Beijing officials pose with leaders of militants and Kremlin has 'no plans' to evacuate its embassy due to 'good relations' 

* China, Russia, Pakistan and Turkey all appear set to formally recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan 

* Most global powers are reluctant to recognise the rule of terror group overthrown by allied forces in 2001 

* Beijing and Islamabad could break rank in order to form closer ties with the likely new government 

* Meanwhile, the Kremlin's envoy to Afghanistan has said that there are no plans to evacuate Russian Embassy 

* Iran, which has long been wary of the Sunni Muslim Taliban, has moved to ensure the safety of its diplomats 

China, Russia, Pakistan and Turkey all appear set to formally recognise Taliban rule in neighbouring Afghanistan after the Islamist terror group seized the Presidential Palace in Kabul on Sunday and the country's embattled president fled for Tajikistan. 

Most global powers are reluctant to recognise the rule of the militant group overthrown by US-led coalition forces in 2001, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning that Afghanistan cannot be allowed to become a 'breeding ground for terror' again.  

Read more ....  

Update: Why China and Russia might find common security ground in Afghanistan (SCMP)  

WNU Editor: Russia is not evacuating their embassy .... Russia says no plan to evacuate Kabul embassy (Moscow Times/AFP). Russia will also not recognize the Taliban government anytime soon .... Russia will not hurry to recognize Taliban regime in Afghanistan — special envoy (TASS). 

China will not close its embassy, and in fact has already signalled that they will recognize the Taliban government .... China Preparing to Recognize Taliban if Kabul Falls: Sources (US News and World Report). 

A prediction. 

Aside China, the other governments that will recognize the Taliban as the new government of Afghanistan will be Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar.

Will Russian Troops Again Battle The Taliban?

Tajik Army units gather outside Dushanbe on July 22.  

EurAsian/Sputnik: Russia vs Taliban: Will Russian Troops Again Battle The Taliban As Afghanistan’s Northern Border Becomes ‘Hot Zone 

Afghanistan’s northern provinces are rapidly turning into a new hotspot as a result of the hasty withdrawal of the US troops, with the Taliban already controlling almost the entire border with Tajikistan, and international terrorist organizations gaining a foothold in the area, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said in an interview with Sputnik. 

“The consequences of the US and some NATO countries’ troop’s hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan are becoming obvious: once relatively calm northern provinces are rapidly turning into another hotspot. The Taliban almost completely control the border with Tajikistan. 

Numerous international terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda branches are gaining a foothold,” Rudenko said. In addition, foreign militants from combat zones in the Middle East and North Africa are being pulled into Afghanistan, the Russian diplomat added.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The expectation in Moscow is that Russian forces will be needed to help their allies bordering Afghanistan, and everyone is preparing for the worse .... Tajikistan Holds Massive Combat-Readiness Check Amid Rising Instability In Neighboring Afghanistan (RFE).

Russia Deploys Tanks And Soldiers To The Afghan Border

RT: More than a thousand Russian & Uzbek troops sent to border with Afghanistan as Taliban gains ground following American withdrawal  

Forces from Uzbekistan will stage major drills later this month on their country's border with troubled Afghanistan, with Russia sending a contingent of peacekeepers to assist and accompany troops from the Central Asian nation. 

The Russian Central Military Command told journalists on Tuesday that its soldiers would be joining colleagues from Uzbekistan for military exercises on the frontier, starting on July 30 and running until August 10. 

Around 200 Russian units of military hardware, including air support, as well as peacekeeping personnel, will take part in the drills, designed to ensure the country's territorial integrity.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Moscow believes the Taliban will takeover Afghanistan if current trends continue .... Taliban takeover in Afghanistan possible if no progress achieved at talks — Russian envoy (TASS). 

More News On Russia Deploying Tanks And Soldiers To The Afghan Border  

Russian Tanks Move to Afghan Border Ahead of Drills -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Tank crews of Russia’s base in Tajikistan redeploy to training ground near Afghan border -- TASS  

Russia deploys tanks near Afghan border ahead of exercises -- The Hill

Taliban Delegation Visits Moscow To Say They Are Not A Threat To Russia

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy leader and negotiator, and other delegation members attend the Afghan peace conference in Moscow, Russia March 18, 2021. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS 

PBS/AP: Taliban visit Moscow to say their wins don’t threaten Russia 

MOSCOW (AP) — A delegation of the Taliban visited Moscow on Thursday to offer assurances that their quick gains on the ground in Afghanistan do not threaten Russia or its allies in Central Asia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the Kremlin envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, met with the Taliban delegation to express concern about the escalation and tensions in northern Afghanistan. 

The ministry said Kabulov urged the Taliban “to prevent them from spreading beyond the country’s borders.” 

“We received assurances from the Taliban that they wouldn’t violate the borders of Central Asian countries and also their guarantees of security for foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Afghanistan,” the ministry said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin does not trust the Taliban and it does not believe in their reassurances .... Russia's Sergey Lavrov 'very worried' about terror threats from Afghanistan despite past calls for US withdrawal (Washington Examiner). 

More News On A Taliban Delegation Visiting Moscow To Say They Are Not A Threat To Russia  

Russia-led bloc ready to act if Afghan border unravels, Taliban reassures Moscow -- Reuters  

Russia expresses concern over escalation in Afghanistan during talks with Taliban -- TASS 

Taliban Promises to Respect Neighbors' Borders, Russia Says -- Bloomberg

Russia Says Situation In Afghanistan Is Deteriorating Quickly

 

The Hill: Russia says situation in Afghanistan could deteriorate quickly 

Russia on Wednesday said the situation in Afghanistan could "swiftly deteriorate" amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops, offering assistance to neighboring Tajikistan over the wave of Afghan forces fleeing the Taliban. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon that Moscow would aid the former Soviet territory if needed, according to Reuters. 

"We are closely watching what is happening in Afghanistan where the situation has a tendency to swiftly deteriorate, including against the backdrop of the hasty exit of American and other NATO troops," Lavrov said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is my prediction also .... As American forces leave Afghanistan, Russia may find itself squaring off with the Taliban in defence of its Central Asian allies (RT). 

More News On Russia's Reaction To The Deteriorating Situation In Afghanistan  

Russia says Afghan situation can swiftly worsen, pledges help if needed -- Reuters  

Russia's Sergey Lavrov 'very worried' about terror threats from Afghanistan despite past calls for US withdrawal -- Washington Examiner  

As US withdrawal from Afghanistan proceeds, Putin offers support to Tajikistan after Kabul's troops cross border fleeing Taliban -- RT  

Russia Says Ready to Activate Tajik Military Base Amid U.S. Pullout, Taliban Advance in Afghanistan -- Moscow Times  

Russia ready to use its base in Tajikistan to defend allies — Lavrov -- TASS

Russian Defense Minister Says Western Alliance Failed To Stabilize Afghan Situation. Expects A Civil War

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the 9th Moscow Conference on International Security said on Wednesday that the Western alliance has failed to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan.  

TOLO News: Western Alliance Failed to Stabilize Afghan Situation: Russia  

There was a high probability that after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan a civil war would resume, the Russian defense minister said. 

“It must be admitted that over 20 years of stay in Afghanistan, a significant military contingent of the Western alliance has failed to achieve significant results in stabilizing the situation in the country and forming sustainable public administration structures,” Shoigu said, according to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency. “It must be admitted that over 20 years of stay in Afghanistan, a significant military contingent of the Western alliance has failed to achieve significant results in stabilizing the situation in the country and forming sustainable public administration structures,” Shoigu said, according to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency. 

“There was high probability that after the withdrawal of NATO forces [from Afghanistan] a civil war would resume in the country with all negative consequences: further deterioration in the life of the population; mass migration; and the spread of extremism to neighboring countries,” he said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Russian defense minister is sadly right, and Moscow is getting ready for a worsening security situation .... Russia fortifies Central Asia military clout before US Afghan exit (Nikkei Asia). More here ... Defense capability of CSTO countries to be enhanced in view of situation in Afghanistan - Shoigu (AkiPress)

Soviet Veterans Still Grapple With The Soviet-Afghan War

Georgy Nadezhdin / TASS archive.

AFP: 40 years on, veterans still grapple with Soviet-Afghan war

At his home in the mountains north of Kabul, former mujahideen fighter Shah Sulaiman closed his damaged eyes, took a sip of green tea and thought bitterly of Afghanistan's war against the Soviet Union that started four decades ago.

"When we fought against the Soviets, we were expecting a good future," said the 62-year-old father, who was blinded in one eye and suffered a leg wound when he trod on a landmine during the conflict in 1985.

"Unfortunately things turned out for the worst."

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Union's "intervention" -- or invasion -- of Afghanistan, the beginning of a decade-long guerilla war that killed up to two million Afghans, forced seven million more from their homes and led to the deaths of more than 14,000 Soviet troops.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: They have the same issues that U.S. veterans from the Vietnam war must deal with. I have two cousins who served in Afghanistan. They only talk about the war when they are drunk. One of my uncles served as a senior officer in that conflict, and he was stationed in that country for a few years. He understood why the US had to invade Afghanistan in 2001 .... but he never understood why they decided to stay. To him it was a monumental mistake, that would cost untold lives and treasure. Unfortunately, with hindsight, he was right.

30 Years Ago The Soviet Union Withdrew From Afghanistan

A convoy of Soviet armoured vehicles crossing a bridge at the Soviet-Afghan border, May 21, 1988, during the withdrawal of the Red Army from Afghanistan. Vitaly Armand—AFP/Getty Images

Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat: 30-Year Anniversary of Soviet Withdrawal From Afghanistan: A Successful Disengagement Operation?

The withdrawal of the Soviet 40th Army from Afghanistan from 1988 to 1989 was a militarily successful operation save one mistake.

30 years ago this month, on February 15, 1989, the last Soviet soldier crossed the Afghan-Soviet border marking the end of one of the bloodiest conflicts ever fought in Afghanistan’s history. Notably, the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan from May 1988 to February 1989 was not a route. Rather, it was a well-executed and carefully planned disengagement operation that would allow the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) to survive for another three years after the end of the Soviet occupation. However, the public announcement of a rigid timetable for the withdrawal narrowed the Soviets options to respond to the changing military and political situation in the country.

It all began in November 1986 when the Soviet leadership under Mikhail Gorbachev made the decision to withdraw all Soviet combat troops by the end of 1988 from the country. Afghanistan had become “a bleeding wound” in the words of Gorbachev. Throughout 1985, the Soviets attempted to force a military solution—the year became the bloodiest in the history of the war—but ultimately failed to break the insurgency’s back.

Read more ....

Update: 'Tired of fighting': 30 years ago, Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan (New Straits Times/AFP).

WNU Editor: The above Diplomat post on the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan is a good summary on what led to the Soviet Union withdrawing from Afghanistan, the withdrawal itself, and how the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the collapse of aid to the Afghan government that resulted in the Taliban being being well positioned to win the war.

Russian Diplomat: Taliban Controls More Than Half Of Afghanistan’s Territory

TASS: Taliban controls more than half of Afghanistan’s territory - Russian diplomat

Russia to invite Taliban representatives to Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov added

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Taliban (a radical movement outlawed in Russia) is present in most of Afghanistan’s provinces and controls more than a half of its territory, Russian president’s special envou on Afghanistan and director of the Russian foreign ministry’s second Asia department, Zamir Kabulov, said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Sunday.

"Taliban is very integrated into Afghanistan’s military and political life. It controls more than a half of the country’s territory by now," he said.

According to the Russian diplomat, Taliban is present in most of the country’s provinces and is a key force even where an official administration is present. "As a matter of fact, they establish parallel power bodies, including a court system Afghan people have more confidence in than in the official one," he noted.

"So, in this sense, they are very integrated into Afghanistan’s state life," he added.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: He is right abut one thing. There are no safe areas in Afghanistan.

Top U.S. General In Afghanistan Accuses Russia of Secretly Arming The Taliban

BBC: Russia 'arming the Afghan Taliban', says US

Russia is supporting and even supplying arms to the Taliban, the head of US forces in Afghanistan has told the BBC.

In an exclusive interview, Gen John Nicholson said he'd seen "destabilising activity by the Russians."

He said Russian weapons were smuggled across the Tajik border to the Taliban, but could not say in what quantity. Russia has denied such US allegations in the past, citing a lack of evidence.

But the new claims come at a sensitive time in Russia's ties with Nato powers.

Read more ....

Update: The General in charge of the Afghanistan war said Russia is arming the Taliban (National Post/AP)

WNU Editor: U.S. Secretary of Defense Mattis said the same thing the day before .... U.S. says Russian support for Taliban hurts peace process in Afghanistan (CBS).

Is Russia Providing Economic Aid To The Taliban?

Moscow has lately accelerated its support in apparent attempt to bolster Taliban against Islamic State. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

Express Tribune: Russia supplying free fuel to Taliban in war against NATO forces, reveals report

Russia is supporting the Afghan Taliban against Nato forces through a covert programme of laundered fuel sales, a report has revealed.

“Russian intelligence services are sending fleets of fuel tankers into Afghanistan through the Hairatan border crossing with Uzbekistan,” The Times quoted sources in the militant group and Afghan forces as saying.

“From there, they are delivered free of charge to front companies operating on behalf of the Taliban. The arrangement allows about $2.5 million raised in cash from the sale of the fuel each month to be delivered directly to insurgent paymasters,” the report claimed.

Read more ....

Update: Russia Funding Taliban in War Against NATO Troops (TOLO News)

WNU Editor: There has been a lot of coverage on reports that Russia is supplying weapons to the Taliban .... but the evidence (IMHO) has been inconclusive. As for Russia providing covert economic support to the Taliban .... with the exception of The Times, Pakistani and Afghan news sites, coupled with Russian social media .... this story has been ignored. I personally have doubts that this story is true. There is no support among the Russian public for Moscow to provide any aid to the Taliban .... but if Russia is providing support, the political backlash against Putin would be huge.

Afghan Taliban Claiming That Russia Is Supplying Them Weapons

Daily Mail: Taliban fighters admit that Russia is supplying them with weapons putting Putin at odds with the West again

* Taliban fighters claim in new video that Russia supplied them with weapons
* Militants in Afghanistan can be seen with sniper rifles and heavy machine guns
* Russia has previously denied it trades with the Taliban in the war-torn country
* US general John Nicholson said in April he was 'not refuting' claims that Russia supplies arms to the militants

Taliban fighters have claimed that Russia is supplying them with weapons including snipers and heavy machine guns.

America's top general in Afghanistan said earlier this year that he was 'not refuting' reports Moscow was providing support, including weapons, to the militant group.

Kremlin chiefs have previously denied trading with the Taliban. But new footage, obtained by CNN, appears to show fighters in possession of improved weaponry which the militants claim was supplied by Russian government sources.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Personally .... I would be shocked if the Russian government is supplying the Taliban with weapons. Because of the 1980 - 1988 Soviet-Afghan war .... Russian sentiment towards Afghan militants/Taliban/etc. is overwhelming negative. If Putin authorised such an arrangement .... the blow-back from the Russian public will be enormous. The Kremlin has denied these reports .... and the CNN report that broke this story admits that the weapons could have come from anyone. But these weapons are there, and the origins of where they came from are still unknown.

Update: The Taliban have also gotten their hands on US Special Forces weapons .... Taliban seen with SCAR rifle commonly carried by American commandos (Military Times). More here .... How Did Taliban Fighters Get Their Hands On US Special Operations Gear? (Task & Purpose)

More News On Reports On The Afghan Taliban Claiming That Russia Is Supplying Them Weapons

Videos suggest Russian government may be arming Taliban -- CNN
Russia 'could be arming the Taliban', according to newly emerged video -- The Independent
Videos suggest Russian government may be arming Taliban -- The Hill
Taliban fighters claim Russia is giving them weapons -- NYPost
Russian heavy weaponry seen in hands of Taliban fighters -- Washington Times
Russia Is Arming Taliban in Afghanistan, Afghan Reports Say As New Videos of Russian Guns Emerge -- Newsweek
New video purports to show that Russia is arming the Afghan Taliban -- The Week
Taliban Obtains New Weaponry Funded By Russian Government, Says Report -- The Inquisitr
Russia Could Be Arming Taliban In Afghanistan: Report -- International Business Times

U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Director: No Evidence Russia Is Transferring Weapons Or Money To The Taliban

Members of the Taliban. © Reuters

Reuters: U.S. official: No physical evidence Russia gave weapons to Taliban

The director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said on Tuesday that while there were indications that Russia had offered some support to Taliban militants in Afghanistan, he had not seen physical evidence of a transfer of weapons or money.

"We have seen indication that they offered some level of support but I have not seen real physical evidence of weapons or money being transferred," Marine Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart said at a Senate hearing.

Last month the head of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan said he would not refute reports that Russia was providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency is completely contradicting what the top U.S. General in Afghanistan has been saying for the past month .... Top U.S. General In Afghanistan Is Accusing Russia Of Providing Support To The Taliban (April 15, 2017). More here .... More Claims That Russia Is Providing Military Support To The Afghan Taliban (May 19, 2017). And while the U.S. press (with the exception of Reuters) are avoiding this story, the Russians are all over it .... No Evidence Russia Transfers Weapons, Money to Taliban - US Defense Intelligence (Sputnik). More here .... No proof to back allegations Russia gave weapons to Taliban – US military intel chief (RT).